“We won’t cause any more trouble,” Jack promised. “And Andromeda’s cabin will be remodeled and repaired soon anyway.”
Leo seemed appeased when he looked between us. “Okay then, no more petty arguments?”
“It wasn’t petty.” I couldn’t help myself, but Jack elbowed me in the side. I reflexively smiled at Leo and backtracked. “That’s right, no more arguments,” I promised, even if it was a lie.
Maybe Jack and I finally had a better understanding of each other, but that didn’t mean we’d be able to change overnight. Our strained relationship was built on this feud, and I enjoyed our rivalry, even if no one else understood it. Jack was sort of growing on me.
I resolved to do better. We could make sure we only argued in private and save our best trash talk for the competitions, where it belonged.
Times like these,I was grateful for our staff’s ability to band together to bring something to fruition under the guise of a lie. Yes, it was Autumn’s birthday, but if she saw the congratulations sign we’d hung in the mess hall and the champagne chilling in the fridge, she’d have questions. So we waited until she ran errands to set everything up.
Bobby and Chase made the prettiest engagement cake, while Azalea crafted a birthday dinner with Leo’s help. Hazel, Lamar, and I hung streamers and balloons. The other counselors entertained Autumn’s and Jamie’s parents, who’d told her they wanted to visit to celebrate the birthday girl. Jamie had secretly filled us in on his plans this morning, and we all got to workdoing our part to make sure Autumn was none the wiser. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get the ring’s precise location after our mishap, but he’d come up with a backup plan. He didn’t elaborate, and it had my stomach roiling in worry. I guess I had that coming.
We met at the ax range for a friendly competition, which Autumn was excited about, since she’d finally be able to participate. She helped Jamie’s mom learn to throw, and it didn’t go unnoticed that Jamie was unimpressed with her hit, which nearly touched the bull’s-eye. When he threw his own practice throw, it was apparent that he was only jealous. At least he got it on the board that time.
“You really expect me to believe you haven’t improved your swing after nearly a year of doing this? Jamie Davis, have I taught you nothing?” Autumn laughed and playfully razzed Jamie as he threw his ax and shamelessly missed the target.
“You might need to teach me a little more,” Jamie teased. “Hey, glad you all made it.” His face was bright, even if he was also nervous.
Lola and Luis came rushing over, and Autumn’s parents were chatting together with Chase and Emerson off to the side, looking like the perfect spectators.
“We didn’t miss it, right?” Luis exclaimed, out of breath.
Autumn’s eyes went up.
I stepped in. “No, the competition is just about to start. You’re both right on time.”
Jamie looked relieved, and I laughed, knowing that if Autumn wasn’t distracted checking all the axes, she’d see right through this whole song and dance.
“This is a pretty great turnout,” Autumn commented as the stragglers from our staff finally arrived. She was already so impressed and full of love. It was beautiful to see.
Jamie grinned and handed her an ax, but not just any ax. The handle of this one was painted bright yellow, and a sunflower had been painstakingly etched into the wood handle by Jamie as a gift for their six-month anniversary.
“Of course, they made the time, honey,” Autumn’s stepmom said as she picked up an ax. “You’re a very special person.”
She propped the ax over her shoulder. “You know buttering me up won’t matter, right? I’m going to destroy all of you. It’s not even fair.”
Laughter erupted from everyone, except her father, whose crossed arms didn’t pair well with the smile he was fighting.
Jamie was grinning and obviously enamored. “I don’t know about that. I think you’re going to have to prove it.” His nerves seemed to melt away when she teased him, and witnessing the interaction made my heart squeeze. I felt grateful to be a part of their special moment.
Autumn was giddy as she tried to get more information. “So, should we do this as individuals or as teams?”
“Teams,” Jamie declared with a boyish grin. “And you’ll be on mine, won’t you?”
“You’re a terrible pick. But a good boyfriend. Sure. Why not?”
Jamie shook his head and nudged her shoulder. “Thanks for carrying me,” he joked as theirteamstepped up and threw their axes.
To no one’s surprise, Autumn nailed a bull’s-eye. I had to hand it to her, she had excellent hand-eye coordination when it didn’t involve feeding herself s’mores. Then again, maybe those messes were Jamie’s fault, too.
I smiled as Jamie stepped up next and made a big show of telling everyone he was swinging and that he was ready to win. He wound up, released the ax, and just like he had the first time he’d met Autumn, according to the camp legend, it went throughthe woods in the direction of the lake. Jamie threw his hands in the air, feigning exasperation, as his gaze followed his ax.
“You did not just do that.” Autumn took his hand and spouted mostly playful insults at her boyfriend as they trudged off together to get the wayward ax.
The group of us nonchalantly veered away from the range to a hidden piece of the beach, fifty feet from where Jamie was taking her. I’d recently learned about their second meet-cute last year and loved the way he was calling back to it.
When Autumn neared the beach a step ahead of him, she stopped abruptly and turned to Jamie, then back to the beach. We couldn’t see it, but I’d watched him spell out the messageWill you marry me?meticulously in stones on the sand.
